VENGEANCE IN HIS BED

e grey stone look cold

ere I was. Then, the smell hit me, expensive floor wax and the faint, bitter scent of old paper. I wasn't

brushed a stray curl from his forehead. A lump forming in my throat, he looked so much like Sar

bbed his eyes and sat up, looking around the small, win

eel. "Remember the rules? We have to be very, very quiet, like we'r

scary ma

tched. "Whic

window last nigh

eep or so I thought. I pulled him close, kissing the top of his

had his favorite toy truck to keep him occupied. I knew I had

owering shelves felt like giants standing in judgment. I led Leo by the hand, creeping toward the hidden elevator. My plan

opened into the main hallway, I was greeted by the sight of Mrs. Hollow

o my face, they went straight to Leo. She stared at him with

eakfast," I

but you should head back to y

s of stern-looking men. As we walked, I felt

voice sounding like dry leav

pped. "He lo

ing her lips. "I've been with the Vale family for twenty

they didn't look up. Mrs. Holloway pointed to a small wooden table in the corner. "Sit. Someone will bring the child a bowl of

? Mr. Vale expects a full report on the 1920s acquisition files by

tomach. There was something off about her. She didn't j

my hand resting on the burner phone

ble, and checked to see that

rom you the past two

and took a deep breath, this wasn't re

eo whispered, pus

efully. "Let's go." He wasn't used to it but it was something he woul

d him not to move. Then, I turned toward the library, maybe I could get myself familiar with the place since I would be working there often. I

ide as my heart thundered against my ribs. If I was caught in this position, it might look susp

others, I dug my nails into the mortar and pulled. It gave way

sh

d in and pulled it out, my breath hitching in my throat.

ly felt heavy, charged wit

thing, Mis

smooth, and as col

on my knees, clutching

k robe, his chest partially bared, looking like a king who had just stepped off a throne of bones. He looked less like a businessm

at the fireplace b

stammered, standing up slowl

ses as his hand reached out to tilt my chin up. His touch was electric, sending a shiver of

ercing, icy, and swirling with a depth that felt like it could swallow me whole. My breath hitched at the realization that I

ispered, his thumb brushing against my l

hing flared in those dark depths, a flash of recognition, or perhaps a warning and then, i

ge and returning to a professional, chilling calm. He stepped back, giving me air I

e bundle behind my back, my knees still trembling.

and simply turned on his heel, his silk robe billowi

to my lungs. But he stopped in his tracks just be

rs Holloway informed me you're with a child. We generally don't allow the children of sta

th to defend my situation, or probably beg

See that he stays within your quarters." He finished and without

ertain reasons? What did that mean? Did he know? I didn't have time to dwell on it as I hurried back to the room

k was unmistakable. It was a handwriting I recognized, could this be Sarah's? My breath hitc

precise. She had mapped out the library, the servants' quarters, and the sprawling

t of my reach. Sarah had drawn a heavy, ink-stained circle around a room at the very end of that

t allowed to go? Was this where they met? Was this where the affair that ruined her too

tter in my heart felt heavier. My truth was sta

idden lining of my bag, my

id and patted his hair. He look

ife, the webcam light turned a steady, predatory red. My own face stared back at me on the screen and there was text ov

ning my computer to his. Wa

sage and didn't bother to protest because he left no room for any, I searched through the files containing my photos and sent him one before locking up

ion and head back to my room, but just as I passed by the smallest shelf in t

dly writte